The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Movie Review

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Deep into The Amazing Spider-Man 2, my 11-year-old companion was confused about a certain plot point — justifiably, I'd say — and demanded an immediate and thorough explanation. ��

"Shh, not now. Later!" I hissed. Because, though I didn't admit it, I really didn't want to miss an Andrew Garfield-Emma Stone kiss. And who knew when the next one was coming?

With great chemistry, you see, comes great kissing.��������

Let's just say this unequivocally: Whether or not my young Spidey fan would agree, the best thing about the The Amazing Spider-Man 2, the second installment of director Marc Webb's series reboot, is that infectious chemistry between Garfield and Stone. In fact, given that this overstuffed, overly long film is a sequel to a sequel, and that it spends a gazillion dollars retelling a story (in 3-D and IMAX) that the world already knows, you could argue that the Garfield-Stone dynamic is the real justification for the whole enterprise.

This isn't just because the two happen to be real-life partners — though it can't hurt. Garfield is a sensitive actor who brings a quirky blend of intelligence and goofiness to Peter Parker, and a welcome hipster edge to the role that the wide-eyed Tobey Maguire didn't have in the earlier incarnation of the Marvel character.

As for Stone, she's just so darned charming. And though it's again a stretch to imagine her as a high school student, heck, we'll take it. (In fact, Stone is 25 and Garfield is 30, so we're just gonna have to give them a pass on this. At least they get their diplomas this time.)

Another winning presence is that of Sally Field, touching as the now-widowed Aunt May. The reliable Field gets one terrifically emotional scene with Peter that may have you reaching for a tissue.

As for the plot, though, that may have you reaching for a notepad. There are not one, not two, but three villains (at least!) here, and all sorts of backstories — something for everyone, which means too much.

The most important backstory involves Peter's parents, and what really happened to them once they abandoned him as a tot (hint: it involves a very fast-paced plane ride).

Back on terra firma, we start with an even faster-paced urban chase involving Spider-Man, a hammy, Russian-accented Paul Giamatti, and some plutonium, distracting Peter/Spidey from Gwen, who's anxiously awaiting Peter's arrival at their graduation.

Peter does arrive, miraculously, but we quickly learn that the key obstacle to their relationship remains in place: Peter's fear of putting Gwen in harm's way. Haunted, Peter just can't commit (they always have an excuse, right?) Not surprisingly, Gwen gets very charmingly annoyed, and kinda sorta breaks up with him. But these two can't stay apart for long.

Meanwhile, there are big goings-on at Oscorp, that huge bioengineering corporation headed by Norman Osborn. With Norman on his deathbed, son Harry (Dane DeHaan) Peter's old buddy, returns from boarding school. The pale, wiry DeHaan is entertainingly creepy as he descends into desperation.

Then there's the unappreciated Oscorp employee Max Dillon (Jamie Foxx). When he falls into a vat of mutant electric eels (OSHA would have a field day at Oscorp), he morphs into Electro, a glowing monster who can manipulate electricity and suck the power from a whole city (Foxx is more convincing as the villain than the self-effacing scientist).

In this age of multi-tasking, Peter/Spidey sure has his work cut out for him — taking care of New York, of Gwen, and of the endearingly curious Aunt May, who, in a funny moment, wonders why, when Peter does the laundry, he turns all the clothes red and blue?

Where will it all end? Well, at least two more sequels (to the sequel, to the sequel) are planned, and any number of future confrontations loom. Which of the villains will re-emerge to challenge Spidey?

Shh, not now. Later! We're thinking about that kiss.����������

Movie review: O Teri entertains in bits

Movie review: O Teri entertains in bits

By Hindustan Times

Umesh Bist's directorial venture O Teri hits theatres on Friday. With Salman Khan going all out in promoting this Atul Agnihotri production, there is a lot of buzz around the film. Not only has Salman promoted the film on social networking sites, he also features in the title track of the movie. He even got his rumoured girlfriend Iulia Vantur to do an item number.
O Teri is the story of two reporters (PP and AIDS, played by Pulkit and Bilal) who are stupid enough to allow stories go out of their hands. Sarah Jane Dias plays their boss, a channel head while Anupam Kher is the Chairman of the sports committee that is planning upcoming Asian Games.
Smacks of Suresh Kalmadi and Commonwealth? It totally does. But there's a lot more to the film than just that. O Teri takes digs on the media, government and political leaders.
Sample some of the dialogues:
Monsoon, the channel head says while lecturing on what kind of stories Pulkit and Bilal should get for her, "Logo ko scandal chahiye, scam chahiye...rape, dakaiti. Ye sab kuch ho to lao warna shaqal mat dikhana. (The public wants scandals and scams. If you something sensational like stories on rape or dacoity, bring it to me, else do not show me your faces.)"
PP describes a scam to his friend AIDS, "Jab chhote log chori karte hain to wo chori hoti hai. Magar jab bade log chori karte hain to wo scam kehlata hai."
Sarah Jane reacts to appreciation on how well she 'managed' a murder, "We have free media in the country, you know. We know what to hide and what to highlight."
Anupam Kher says, "Ye aaj ki yuvapeedhi hai. Jab inki batti lagti hai to ye sirf mombatti jala sakte hain, India Gate pe."
Manoj Pahwa, who plays a contractor, is one interesting aspect in the film. His vehicles change from a scooter to Maruti car to a BMW to ultimately an OB van (as he progresses as the contractor who takes loan to pay bribe to one who has the contract and money) that helps Pulkit Samrat and Bilal Amrohi in winning the battle and emerging as heroes.
Though high on the satirical note, the story-telling in O Teri could have been much crisper. In fact, it reminds you of Salman Khan's Jai Ho - both in the subject and the execution. Only, the execution is worse than Salman's aam admi saga.
While the first half drags, the second half seems like the director is in a hurry to complete the movie.
As for the performances, Bilal is a little uncomfortable in his character at times and Pulkit does a decent job of playing stupid. Anupam Kher, quite predictably, slips into the character of a corrupt neta with complete malice. Sarah does not have much scope to showcase her skills in the film.
The songs in O Teri are more of an interruption than a part of the narrative. They take you off the the story.
For people who want to watch O Teri for Salman Khan, here's an advice - wait for the end credits. However, with a Salman-overdose in the film, you will constantly be reminded of the Dabangg star. The menu of a dhaba that the lead characters frequent has items like - Wanted Parantha, Bodyguard special chai and Dabangg dal tadka.
But O Teri can make for an okay weekend watch.

Movie review: Harman, Sunny Deol's Dishkiyaoon

Movie review: Harman, Sunny Deol's Dishkiyaoon

By Hindustan Times
An action movie must have pace. If a movie doesn't have it, then it has lost the race. Does the rhyming sound silly? Then skip Dishkiyaoon: it's all about silly, rhyming dialogues.
Sunny Deol, who's known for his punchy dialogues, turns 'poetic' in the movie. He says something like - Haryane se hoon, naam hain Lakhva. Yo haath chaale na, sivai is ungli ke. It is poetic.
Dishkiyaoon, which promised to be a high-octane thriller with the right mix of masala, has got its ingredients right, but intention wrong. First, the film has a plot that could have been developed into a gripping story. Second, the film has SUNNY DEOL (as Lakwa). The actor who proved himself in the action genre with films like Ghayal, Jeet, Ziddi, Farz, Gadar, The Hero: Love Story of a Spy, Singh Saab The Great and even Fox (the film flopped, but Deol was bang on), was nearly expressionless in the film. Third, it boasts of twists and turns that would keep you glued. Turns do come at apt moments, but they are just not interesting enough. You yawn, and yawn some more as the film veers towards climax that leaves you totally unmoved. You come back home with watery eyes, looking for your couch to crash on (yes, you are that sleepy after watching the movie).
Roughly the film tells the story of a gangster (Harman Baweja), who wants to avenge the death of his mentor Mota Toni (Prashant Narayanan) by killing Iqbal Khalifa (Sumeet Nijhawan) and take over the reigns of the gang from him. In the process, he chooses revenge over love.
Harman is expected to carry the film on his shoulders, but he's not prepared for it yet. He could have proved his mettle in certain scenes where he was required to emote (when Tony is killed and he's expected to look shattered as well as fearful of his impending death).
There's another factor that makes his character weak. Indian audiences don't mind a grey hero, but they expect him to stand up for himself, his loved ones. Vicky Kartoos hooks up with his best friend's girlfriend and betrays Inspector Khan (Aditya Pancholi) and has him killed.
Harman Baweja who was once touted as Hrithik Roshan's lookalike when he made his debut with Love Story 2050, picks some of his mannerisms from the Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai actor for his role. Interestingly, Hrithik played a gangster in Agneepath.
Where heroes fail (read Sunny Deol and Harman Baweja), three character artists stand out. Prashant Narayanan, as a charismatic baddie, adds an emotional dimension to his character as a father figure to Harman. Sumeet Nijhawan as Khalifa looks convincing. Anand Tiwari is excellent as Rocky, Khalifa's right hand.
Rajit Kapoor as Harman Baweja's dad has an insignificant role to play. Aditya Pancholi as Inspector Khan does justice to his character.
Ayesha Khanna as Harman's love-interest doesn't have much scope to perform.
Dishkiyaoon is produced by Shilpa Shetty and husband Raj Kundra along with Eros International, and directed by Sanamjit Singh Talwar.
Our verdict
Go for Dishkiyaoon only if you have nothing interesting to do this weekend.

Review: Youngistaan is as much a political drama as a romantic comedy

Review: Youngistaan is as much a political drama as a romantic comedy

By Hindustan Times
You have to hand it to this film for making an effort to be 'headline-ish' without toppling over with the temperament of topicality. This is a genre never really cracked in Hindi cinema. A political drama about a young foreign-educated NRI who is forced to take over his country's reigns after his father's sudden death.
Unlike Prakash Jha's Raajneeti, Youngistaan doesn't take itself too seriously. There is no attempt here to mythicize or demonize the politicians.
Think Rajiv Gandhi. Think Rahul...Jackky Bhagnani plays an amalgamation of many political dreams. Never mind if some of them turn into nightmares in real life (think Arvind Kejriwal). Cinema is about hope and redemption. In a nation hurling towards damnation, the thought of some political wisdom, clarity and far-sightedness in this season of the election, is eminently welcomed. Young Bhagnani brings a temperance and sensitivity to his character. This is a guy who can think straight, even when he isn't thinking straight.
Youngistaan is a smartly-written political parable about a young smart foreign-bred Indian who has the audacity to sing "Japan Love In Tokyo" on a drunken night in Tokyo, and who is thrust the thankless job of India's prime ministership. Wisely, the narrative never takes itself so seriously as to careen over under the weight of its conscientiousness.
There is a sense of mischief underlining the very powerful message about the young shouldering the governance of the country without resorting to the stereotypical morality and dress code of neta-giri in Hindustan.
Jackky's Abhimanyu Kaul is the need of the hour. He is young, enterprising and modern in thought and ready to take on the political humbug headlong. He is also a considerate, generous boyfriend trying to make his somewhat-overbearing sometime-annoying life-mate understand the complexities of the responsibility suddenly thrust upon him.
Youngistaan is as much a political drama as a romantic comedy about a young prime minister and his fun-loving outgoing girlfriend who suddenly finds herself under house curfew just because her lover has a rather important job to perform.
Writer-director Syed Ahmad Afzal has told a story that seems destined to be put on screen. The politics of our disembodied democracy is sexily sketched. In this season of the Lok Sabha election, Youngistaan raises pertinent questions on the quality of leadership in our country. While it gets its political fundas right, the plot also accommodates the central romantic conflict into its structure.
Every character, big or small, is effectively cast. Jackky as the prime ministerial candidate, conveys a whole lot of sincerity in his performance. His scenes with his dead father (Boman Irani) are emotionally resplendent. They play off well against the stark, sometime funny and outrageous reality of Indian politics.
Neha Sharma as his untameable girlfriend plays her character with intelligence and grace. This girl deserves more than what Hindi cinema has so far offered her. But it is the Farooque Sheikh as Bhagnani's quietly efficient personal assistant who brings a twinkle-eyed wisdom to the table.
The film tells us - it's okay to have dynastic rule as long as the job gets done. It also tells us that there's no need to get hysterical if our prime minister is in a live-in relationship. It may not be cool for a prime minister to get his girlfriend pregnant at a time when he has a responsibility towards the nation, but if it happens, there's no need to get righteous and holier-than-thou.
On the minus side, the film tends lose steam whenever Jackky's character is not in the company of his girlfriend or personal assistant. This is a measure of how well the characters are written and played. The material is judiciously edited. The camerawork is delightfully plush. As though to remind us that politics need not be a drab colourless vocation. It can be a bastion for the young. And it can be a great deal of fun!

Sunny Leone : Hottest - Top of the World

Sunny Leone : Hottest - Top of the World

 

Indo-Canadian adult star Sunny Leone is in seventh heaven. Her new film Ragini MMS 2 opened to a positive response that left her bewildered and stunned.
"To be quite honest, I didn't expect this kind of a response. Ragini MMS 2 has gone beyond all our expectations. That feels good. I feel I've been accepted  by audiences. It'd a nice feeling," Sunny said before leaving for the US to be with her family.
Ragini MMS 2, an Ekta Kapoor's production ventured helmed by Bhushan Patel, came out March 21 and earned Rs.45.88 core in two weeks at the Indian box office.
In 2013, Sunny entered Indian showbiz with controversial reality show Bigg Boss 5 and graduated to film roles with erotic thriller Jism 2.
However, her entry was not taken lightly by the moral police who reportedly campaigning against her presence in Bollywood, but she is not overly perturbed or hurt by the attack by the moral police.
"Hurt would be a strong words. But yes, I am surprised by how vehement the naysayers are in their opposition. I have nothing against them. But I want them to know I am working hard to make a career, just like everyone else in every profession. And Ragini... is the answer to all those who thought I could do only one thing."
related photo
Bollywood release: Sunny Leone in Ragini MMS 2
The "one thing" is a sportingly self-deprecatory reference to her past history as a adult-content star that Sunny is not denying.
"Everyone has a past. We all grow from one level to another. I don't understand why it is so difficult for some people to accept that I've made a natural progression from one phase in my life to another.
"Now I'm working very hard  on my career as a Bollywood actress, though I am a long way from getting a hang of it. I only wish some elements would be more open-minded about my intentions."
Sunny's next level is her language.
She said: "Did I sound like I had dubbed for myself in Ragini MMS 2? Congratulate the girl who dubbed for me. She made a very honest effort to sound like me.
"I did want to dub my own lines in Ragini..., but there were too many things happening at the same time. We all took a call that it was best to let it go and  to let someone more skilled with the Hindi  handle my lines."
She promises to dub in her own voice in her next film.
"In Deepak Tijori's Tina & Lolo, you will hear me speak in my own voice. I promise you my Hindi would be acceptable. It is very important for me to keep growing. I am constantly working towards improving myself. The effort shows in Ragini MMS 2, I think," she said.
However, the actress is comfortable in the Bollywood environment.
"Mumbai and Bollywood are my new home. I have my own residence, my  own car and my own staff in Mumbai. Now when I go to the US, I don't feel I am going 'home'. It's like I'm going for a holiday and I'll be back home in no time at all."
"I feel we need to celebrate a success of this magnitude. How to celebrate, I'll decide when I am back from the US. But I have to confess I am not much of a party goer. You will hardly ever find me at parties in Bollywood. So far I've been too busy working on improving myself to bother with interacting with people. Maybe after my Hindi I will work on improving my social skills," she said.
- See more at: http://www.bollywood.com/celebrities/sunny-leone/news/sunny-leone-seventh-heaven#sthash.hml7VcaC.dpuf

Deepika's fan Gets the Chance with Deepika

 Who is the Biggest Fan of Deepika Padukone

Mumbai, March 19 -- Recently, Deepika Padukone gave her fan, Prerna Maynil, a unique opportunity. She took her along to an awards function, walked with her on the red carpet and even called her on stage when she received an award.   
Now, the young girl is being bombarded with calls from TV channels to participate in interviews and chat shows to talk about her experience.   
Prerna has no connection with the film industry; she just happens to be a fan of Deepika, who got really lucky to have such an experience. So it surprises her that she is getting calls from the media now.   
"There's a lot of curiosity among the media, and she is getting many requests to feature in an interview with Deepika," says a source close to Deepika and Prerna.    The insider adds, "They want to learn about her experience directly from her. Although she hasn't consented to any interviews yet, such requests are making her feel like a star."   
Confirming the news, Deepika's spokesperson says, "Deepika's gesture was received very well by her fans and the media. Since then, there have been umpteen queries and requests for Prerna," adding, "Even among her family and friends, Prerna continues to be questioned about Deepika and the evening she spent at the awards ceremony."
- See more at: http://www.bollywood.com/celebrities/deepika-padukone/news/deepikas-fan-spotlight#sthash.GllFN1Hv.dpuf